Up next: Carolina Hurricanes

DETROIT -- When you glance at the Metropolitan Division standings, you'll find the Red Wings' next opponent this Saturday at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m. face-off), the Carolina Hurricanes, are residing in last place.
However, the Hurricanes (20-17-8, 48 points) have more points and victories than Detroit (18-19-7, 43 points).

If Carolina played in the Atlantic Division, it would be in fourth place, seven points behind third-place Toronto with two games in hand. The Hurricanes currently trail Pittsburgh by three points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Carolina is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games. The Hurricanes have lost two in a row and four of their last five. Their last two losses were at home to Washington, 4-3, on January 12 and last Sunday, they were soundly beaten, 4-1, by Calgary.
"I didn't think we were engaged in the game period," Carolina coach Bill Peters told CarolinaHurricanes.com after the loss to the Flames. "I don't think we skated. I don't think we had much emotional engagement to the game. I hope it's flu related, I really do. I thought we looked lethargic.
"We were slow with the puck, we were slow making decisions, so I hope it's related to the bug that's going around and if that's the case, these five days (bye week) come at the right time."
Saturday's game in Detroit will be the Hurricanes' first game after their bye week. Peters, a former Red Wings assistant coach from 2011-2014, hopes that his team regroups during their time off.
"I don't know what everyone's plans are," Peters said. "Guys are going to get away and you got to give yourself a mental break and then you're going to have to wrap your head around the identity of our team and how we have to play to be successful.
"The night's we're not the hardest working team, I don't know our record, but it wouldn't be flattering. So, if we're not going to wrap our head around the fact we have to start on time each and every night and out work our opponent then it's going to be a frustrating second half."
Carolina may have a tough time turning it around regardless if it commits to being the hardest working team on the ice.
During the third period in Sunday's loss to the Flames, forward Sabastian Aho, who leads the Canes in goals with 16 and in points with 37, suffered a concussion and a lower-body injury when he was belted by Flames defenseman Mark Giordano who was assessed a match penalty on the play.
Aho, 20, a second-round draft pick (35th overall) in 2015, has not missed a game during his two seasons with Carolina, but it appears his consecutive games streak will end at 127.
Since they are on the bye, the Hurricanes have not put Aho on injured reserve and have not called anyone up from their minor-league affiliate in Charlotte.
However, there is speculation that Aho will be placed on IR either on Thursday or Friday before the team takes off for Detroit.
With Aho on the mend, the Canes will rely on a forward corps comprised of veterans and youngsters.
Tuevo Teravainen, 23, is second in scoring with 11 goals among his 35 points. He is an even player and logs 16:49 of ice time per game.
Veterans Jeff Skinner (14 goals, 15 assists, minus-20), Jordan Staal (13 goals, 15 assists, even) and former Plymouth Whalers standout Justin Williams (seven goals, 20 assists, minus-5) have all had uneven years, but they provide leadership, which is essential for a young team if Aho misses any significant time.
Center Elias Lindholm, 23, a former first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2013, has put together a solid season with 12 goals, 13 assists, and a plus-2 rating in 44 games. His 18:09 of ice time per game is second only to Staal's 19:36 among Hurricanes forwards.
Defensively, Carolina is led by Noah Hanifin and Justin Falk.
Hanifin, 20, a first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2015, leads Carolina's defensemen in goals with seven, assists with 14 and points with 21.
Falk is second in scoring among defensemen with four goals, 10 assists, and minus-13. His 22:26 of ice time per game is second most on the team.
Fellow defenseman Jacob Slavin (three goals, nine assists, minus-10) leads the Canes in ice time, clocking in at 22:58 per game.
Rookie defenseman Hayden Fleury has had a promising season. The former first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2014 hasn't scored a goal but his six assists, with an ice time average of 16:26 in 36 games has been a stabilizing force.
Goaltending has been an issue for Carolina.
Scott Darling, acquired in a trade with Chicago in late April 2017, has not solidified the position as expected.
In 28 games, he's 9-12-6 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. Since December 21, he has only appeared in four of the Canes' 12 games.
Once again, veteran netminder Cam Ward has been getting the majority of starts in goal. In 19 games, he's posted a 11-5-2 record with a 2.85 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage and one shutout.
Detroit and Carolina are in similar positions. Both teams need to start putting some victories together or the playoffs could become out of reach rather quickly.
"It's never good going into a break with a loss. We'll have to unfortunately dwell on that for a little bit," Staal told reporters after Sunday's game. "You still have to get away and get your rest while you can and regroup. We've got to be ready for Detroit."